Curling gaining popularity in Cincinnati

Learn to Curl classes begin in March

The sport of curling has gained popularity over the years. Cincinnati has its very own curling league headed up by Jonathan Penney. The league practices and educates curlers at the Indian Hill Winter Club.

Curlers send 40 pound granite stones sliding down the ice in an attempt to score points and knock out the competing team’s stones.

The Cincinnati Curling Club has been meeting at the Indian Hill Winter Club for the last four years and interest in the sport is growing.

“It’s just the right amount of athleticism that most everybody can try it, and it’s got enough strategy and nuance to it that keeps you coming back from more all the time,” said Jonathan Penney, president of the Cincinnati Curling Club.

Penney and Greg Banks are transplanted Canadians who are involved with the Curling Club.

They both grew up around the sport in Canada and worked to grow the sport here. Now they play in league games and work to educate people in Cincinnati.

They will begin hosting Learn to Curl classes starting in March. “We show you how to play the game in 30 minutes or so and we get you on the ice and you play a real game,” said club founder Greg Banks.

Interest in curling has grown from four people in the initial group of curlers to league events that draw about 50 participants.